Tokina 11-16 v Nikkor 10-24

[SwissJon]

Speaking to the chap in the camera shop today, he was claiming that the Tokina 11-16 was not as sharp as the Nikkor 10-24.

He didn't have an example of either in the shop, so I couldn't try them out, but the Tokina is cheaper and with a fixed 2.8 against the Nikkor's 3.5-4.5, it's faster too, so I'm wondering if anyone has had a chance to use them both? The kind of photography I do, the speed isn't going to be a deciding factor, and the zoom range of both is fine for me, and the price is not so different that I'll be put off by the more expensive one, so my decision is based purely on image quality.

So can anyone tell me which of these they'd choose, and why?

[autofocus]

Jon, can't speak to the Nikon lens, but I own the Tokina and would have to say it's extremely sharp. You have to take what a salesman says with some degree of caution. He may be compensated differently to move different products...so, his recommendation could be biased by that. Here's a shot I took when I first got the lens...shot at f/8, and image slightly cropped.


N 002c4x6 by vmontalbano, on Flickr

[SwissJon]

Thanks.. I forgot to mention I had the 11-16 on my Sony.. I was extremely pleased with it, I'm really just wondering if the 10-24 was better, before I commit.

Most people seem to think the constant 2.8 on the Tokina wins, but as a landscape photographer, I'm not all that fussed about the speed, although stopping down by two full stops and still finding myself at 5.6 is quite a nice thing to have.. However thinking about it, the zoom range 10-24 will be a bit more useful if I just want to travel light and have a single lens with me when I'm climbing the mountains..

Ho-Hum, descisions descisions.

[OsmosisStudios]

I do have the 10-24, and I can certainly say that it's VERY good. The bokeh gets a bit busy (when you get it), but its otherwise very sharp.

Ive not compared it to another zoom (save the Nikon 12-24) but it's served me very well.

[Fraucha]

Maybe this might help?

Nikon 10-24mm

Distortion comparisons at the bottom of the article.

[SwissJon]

Well they appear to be a real toss up.. I think I'm going to see if I can find someone with a 10-24 in and try it out when my camera is back from the menders, see what I think.. I know what the Tokina is like, if I like the Nikkor, I'll probably get that one, based purely on the longer zoom.